Technical problems are again being blamed for a large number of New Zealand's dairy products being rejected at China's border.
A Chinese consumer website said customs data showed about 10 percent of New Zealand's dairy products were turned away by Chinese customs last year.
The Shipin Anquan Kuaisu Jiance site did not specify why 60 batches from New Zealand were rejected, but said generally products from around the world had been sent back or destroyed because of illegal use of chemicals, expired due-by-date or excessive e-coli bacteria counts.
The Ministry for Primary Industries said the reason would more likely be technical error than food safety issues.
The president of Federated Farmers William Rolleston said it was important to understand specifically why the products were sent back or destroyed.
"We need to work through those issues and make sure we can deliver the product which has the documentation which is consistent with what China needs."
Mr Rolleston said the Ministry of Primary Industries must be responsible about the information it releases.
